Also means
to contest
Usage Note
Disputer is rarely used alone in the sense 'to argue' — the reflexive se disputer is the standard form for a quarrel between people (ils se disputent, 'they are arguing'). The non-reflexive disputer more often means to contest or compete for something (disputer un match, 'to play a match'). Don't confuse with the English false friend 'to dispute'.
Examples
"Ils se disputent souvent pour des riens."
Natural Translation
They often argue over nothing.
Literal Translation
They themselves argue often for of-nothing.
Free starter pack
Building your French vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
